Lubricator for engines.



0. R. GRONKWIST.

LUBRICATOR FOR ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1913. RENEWED MAR. 6. 1911.

1,292,312, Patented Jan. 21,1919.

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LUBRICATOB. non. ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 24, 1918, Serial No. 763,370. Renewed March 8, 1917. Serial No. 152,872.

lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in a lubricator for engmes and more particularly internal combustion engines, and one" of the objects of the invention-is the provision of improved means for lubricatingthe engine shaft bearing the crank p n bearing, the piston pin bearing, and the interior of the engine cylinder.

A still further object of the present 1nvention is the provision of improved lubricating means of this character of such a construction that the lubricant will be forced under pressure in predetermined quantities to the various points to be lubricated, so that the roper amount of lubricant will be supplied at all times.

A further object of the invention is the provision of lubricatin means of this character in which the varlous points to be lubricated are connected seria ly, so that the lubricant is forced to take the roper course. A further object of the inventlon is the provision of lubricating means of this character in which the rotation of the engine shaft is utilized to assist/the forcin of the lubricant to the various points to e lubricated.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein a convenient embodiment of the invention is illustrated, and wherein like characters of reference refer to similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1.

ig. 4 is a transverse sectlon substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A designates the engine shaft, B

one of thecranks thereof, and b the crank pm. C desi nates one of the bearings for the engine s aft and that portion of the shaft which is supported in said bearing is provided adjacent the ends of the bearmg w1th grooves a, and a therein, which are formed in the exterior of the shaft and which extend therearound. The grooves a and a are connected by a diagonally disposed groove a which is formed in the extenor of the shaft. D designates a lubricant supply pipe which passes through the bearing 0 and is adapted to open into the annular groove a formed in the shaft A adjacent one end of said bearing, said lubricant pipe conveniently extending from asource of lubricant under pressure. D designates a pipe which leads from the lower portion of the bearing 0 and; is in communication with the channel a in the shaft A, the lower end of said pipe being open and positioned to discharge into a dished ring E which is rigidly secured to the crank B adjacent the outer end thereof so as to rotate therewith and which surrounds the engine shaft.

F designates the engine cylinder, G the piston therein, and H a pitman, the lower end of which has a bearing on the crank in b, and the upper end of. which has a bearlng upon a piston pin I which is secured in the piston G in the usual manner.

Extending inwardly into one end of the crank pin 1) is a.recess b, the outer end of which communicates with the interior of the upper portion of the hollow ring E through the medium of a small port 6 formed in said ring. By this construction, the lubricant after passing through the channels in the portion of the engine shaft in the bearing C, and thus lubricating said bearing falls into the ring E and as the ring rotates with the 'engine shaft the lubricant is forced through the ports e in the ring into the recess b in the crank pin. The innerend of the passage 1) has extending radially therefrom a port 6 the outer end of which extends to the exterior of the crank pin 1), which port is adapted as the pitman bearing rotates around the crank pin to be brought into communication with a semi-circular channel b which is formed in the lower portion of the pitman bearing sleeve adjacent one end thereof.

The crank pin 1) is provided'upon'its exterior intermediate the ends thereof with an annular groove 6 from which extends a Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

able plug diagonally disposed groove 6", the end of which is adapted to be moved into and out of communication with the semi-circular rooveb in the sleeve of the pitman bearing as said sleeve rotates about the crank pin, and with a similar groove 6 which extends toward the opposite end of the crank pin and communicates with a semicircular channel I)" which is formed in the ton pin 6 is such that when the groove b is in communication with the channel 6 the channel I) is out of communication with the pipe I), and that when the groove 6 is out of communication with the groove 12 the channel 6 is in communication with the pipe 6 Secured in the lower portion of the sleeve of the pitman bearing intermediate the ends thereof is a radially disposed sleeve K in which is loosely mounted so as to be freely movable, a plunger K which projects into the annular groove 6 which is formed in the central portion of the crank pgn b. Inward movement of the plunger is limited by means of a shoulder which is formed on said plunger and which cooperates with a shoulder formed in the sleeve K, while outward movement of the plunger is limited by means of an adjustlc which is secured in the outer end of the sleeve. By adjusting the plug is the range of movement of the plunger can be so varied that the distance which the plunger moves out of the grooveb can be regulated at will. 5

With the construction thus described, it will be seen that as the en 'ne shaft is rov tated the plunger K will ecaused 'to reciprocate in the sleeve K, and the construction is such that when the plunger is thrown out of the groove or channel I) the groove ing around the crank pin, and therebyg cause a quantity of oil to be pushed into the groove 6 the groove 6 being at that time out of communication with the inlet 6 This action continues automatically as the crank shaft is rotated, so that there is constantly drawn through the crank pin bearing and forced out therefrom a predetermined quantity of lubricant, and as the lubricant is caused to traverse practically the entire outer surface of the crank pin in passing therethrough, it will be seen that the crank pin bearing will be thoroughly and properly lubricated. The piston pin I has formed in the exterior thereof adjacent one end of'the pitman sleeve which surrounds the same, an annulargroove 2', which groove is positioned so as to receive the lubricant which is forced through the pipe I)". The piston pin I has also formed in the exterior thereof adjacent the other end of the sleeve of the pitman which surrounds the same another annular groove e", the grooves i and 2" being connected by a diagonally disposed groove '5 which is formed in the exterior of the piston pin, so that the oil which enters the piston pin bearing through the pipe I) first fills the channel 5 and then passes through the groove or channel 7? to the channel 2'', thus effecting the proper lubrication of the piston pin hearing. The piston pin is provided with a radially extending port 73 which extends inwardly from the groove or channel 2" and communicates with a longitudinally disposed recess '5, which is formed in the central portion of one end of the piston pin. Leading from the outer end of the recess 71* is a radially disposed passage 2" which opens into an annular groove i which is formed in the outer surface of the piston pin I adjacent one end thereof. The piston G is provided in one side thereof just below the packing rings with a transversely disposed groove on channel g from which a port or passage 9 extends into the groove or channel 2' in the end of the piston pin I. From this construction, it will be seen that after the oil traverses the piston pin hearing, it passes under pressure through the port i into the chamber 2', thence through the port 71 into the annular groove 71, and from thence through the port .ginto the groove 9, from whence it flows down the cylinder wall. It has been demonstrated that it is usually sufficient to lubricate one side of the cylinder wall and hence the piston is illustrated as being provided with but a single groove 9. Obviously, however, if desired, a similar groove may be positioned on the opposite side of the piston.

From the hereinbefore described construction, it will be seen that when a lubricant is supplied under pressure to pipe D, such lubricant will first pass through the engine shaft bearing, thoroughly lubricating the same and will then be automatically transferred to the crank pin bearing, and forced through the crank pin bearing so as to properly lubricate the same and transferred therefrom under pressure to the piston pin bearing, forced therethrough and to the exterior of the piston for the proper lubrication of the cylinder walls. It will be noted that the several bearings are connected serially With a single lubricant supply pipe, which is an advantageous construction, as it positively insures the proper amount of oil being distributed to all of the bearings, whereas where separate pipes are led to the individual bearings to be lubricated from a common supply pipe, the lubricant in seeking the easiest course is frequently distributed in unequal quantities to the bearings. Furthermore, this construction obviates the necessity of using a large number of distributing pipes which lead from the source where the lubricant is delivered under pressure.

While a convenient embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that many changes may be made to the construction therein shown without departing from the spirit and Scope of the, invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lubricator the combination with a member having a bearing thereon adapted to support a relatively movable crank pin, of means for forcing the lubricant through said bearing including a pump element positioned on the bearing.

2. In a lubricator, the combination with a bearing adapted to engage a rotatable part and provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto, said oil inlet port being connected to a source of lubricant, and a pump element positioned upon the bearing and automatically operable upon the rotation of the rotatable part to draw oil through the inlet port and force the same through the outlet port.

3. In a lubricator, the combination with a bearing for a rotatable part, said bearing being provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto, said oil inlet port being connected to a source of lubricant, and a reciprocating plunger positioned upon the bearing and automatically operable upon the rotation of said rotatable part to draw oil through the inlet port and force the same through the outlet port.

4. In a lubricator for engines, the combination with the engine shaft provided with a crank pin, a pitman having a bearing thereon, said crank pin bearing being provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto and the adjacent portions of the crank pin and bearing being provided with a pocket therebetween adapted to alternately communicate with said oil in let and outlet ports upon rotation of the engine shaft, and means movable out of said pocket when the same is in communication with the inlet port and into sa1d pocket when the same is in communication with the outlet port.

5. In a lubricator for engines, the combination with the engine shaft provided with a crank pin, a pitman having a bearing thereon, said crank pin bearing being provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto and the adjacent portions of the crank pin and bearing being provided with a pocket therebetween adapted to alternately communicate with said oil inlet and outlet ports upon rotation of the engine shaft, and a plunger mounted on the bearing and automatically movable out of said pocket When the same is in communication with the inlet port and into said pocket when the same is in communication with the. outlet port.

6. In a lubricator for engines, the com-,

bination with the engine shaft provided with a crank pin, a pitman having a bearing thereon, said crank pin bearing being provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto and the adjacent portions of the crank in and bearing being provided with a poc ret therebetween adapted to alternately communicate with said oil inlet and outlet ports upon rotation of the engine shaft, a plunger positioned upon the bearing and automatically movable out of said pocket when the same is in communication with the inlet port and into said pocket whenthe same is in communication with the outlet port, and means for varying the extent of movement of said plunger.

7. In a lubricator for engines, the combination,with the engine shaft provided with a crank pin, a pitman having a bearing thereon, said crank pin bearing being provided-with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto, and the adjacent portions of the crank pin and bearing being provided with a pocket therebetween adapted to alternately communicate with said oil inlet and outlet ports upon rotation of the engine shaft, and a reciprocating )lunger positioned adjacent the Wall of the bearing and automatically movable out of said pocket when the same is in communication with the inlet port and into said pocket when the same is in communication with the outlet port.

8. In a lubricator for engines, the combination with the engine shaft provided with a crank pin, a pitman having a bearing thereon, said crank pin bearing being provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto and the adjacent walls of the crank pin and bearing being provided with a pocket therebetween adapted to alternately communicate with said oil inlet 1 freely movable into and out of said pocket, said pocket and ports bein so positioned relatively to each other that t e plunger will be automatically shifted out of the pocket when the same is in communication with the inlet port and into the pocket when the same is in communication with the outlet port.

9. In a lubricator, the combination with a bearing, of means for forcing a lubricant through said bearing including an automatically operated pump element positioned on the wall of the bearing.

10. In a lubricator, the combination with a bearing provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto, a rotatable member in said bearing, and the adjacent portions of the rotatable member and said bearing being provided with a pocket there between adapted to alternately communicate with said 011 inlet and outlet ports upon rotation of the rotatable member, and means movable out of said pocket when the same is.

in communication with the inlet port and into said pocket when the same is in communication with the outlet port.

11. In a lubricator, the combination with a bearing provided with oil inlet and out let ports leading thereto, a rotatable element in said bearing, the adjacent walls of said 80 rotatable member and bearing bein provided with a pocket therebetween-adapted to alternately communicate with said oil inlet and outlet ports upon rotation of the rotatable element of the bearing, and a lun- 85 ger positioned between the walls of the rotatable element and bearing and automati- .cally movableout of said pocket when the same is in communication with the inlet port and into said pocket when the, same is in communication with the outlet port.

12. In a lubricator, the combination with a bearing provided with oil inlet and outlet ports leading thereto, a rotatable ele ment in said bearing, the adjacent walls of said rotatable element and bearing being provided with a pocket therebetween adapted to alternately communicate with said oil inlet and outlet ports upon rotation of the rotatable element of the bearing, a plunger positioned between the walls of the rotatable element and bearing and automatically movable out of said pocket when the same is in communication with the inlet port and into said pocket When the same is in communication with the outlet port, and means as for varying the extent of movement of said plunger.

13. In a lubricator the combination of a member having a bearing, a crankipin, positioned within said bearing, an oil inlet and an oil outlet for said bearing, the bearing and pin forming therebetween oil feed grooves, and an automatically operable plunger positioned on said bearing and adapted to communicate with' said grooves. 5

14. In a lubricator, the combination of a pitman having a bearing, a crank pin movably seated in said bearing, oil channels or grooves interposed between said crank pin and inner surface of said bearing, said bearing having an oil inlet through the crank pin to said grooves, and an outlet conduit leading from the bearing at a point removed from the inlet, and an automatically operable plunger positioned on '75 said bearing and operatively associated with said grooves.

15. In a lubricator the combination of a member having a bearing, a crank pin, posi tioned within said bearing, an oil inlet and 8d an oil outlet for said bearing, the bearing and pin being constructed to form therebetween oil feed grooves and an automatically operable movable element positioned on said bearing and adapted to enes gage in said grooves, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16 In a lubricator the combination of a pitman having a bearing, a crank pin or the like movably seated in said bearing, oil

channels or grooves interposed between said crank'pin and inner surface of said bearing, said bearing having an oil inlet through the crank pin to said grooves, and an outlet conduit leading from the bearing at a point removed from the inlet, and a memb'er positioned on said bearing and operatively positioned with respect to said grooves to produce a pumping efiect, said member being adjustable whereby to regulate the paswe sage of the oil through said grooves from the inlet to the outlet conduit. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' OSCAR. ROBERT GRONKWIST. Witnesses:

LILIAN D.- HEATH,

W. H. DRANEY. 

